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Looking for a simple craft project for the kids? Here’s a good one. These kits come complete with stickers, stamps, paint pots and brushes. Use this as an opportunity to talk about all the different ways people earn money, the positive impact of saving money. Financial advisers and academics alike all say More »
Tags: 6-8 years, 9-12 years, DIY, educational, simple kids projects
Maurice Sendak’s ground-breaking 1963 book Where the Wild Things Are established him as a true visionary in the world of children’s literature. In 1964 he received the Caldecott Medal for the book, and More »
Primarily in spring, it seems most countries around the world celebrate some form of Mother’s Day, with days honoring ‘mother’ dating as far back as the 16th century and some argue it reaches as far back as the days of ancient Greece with the celebration of Cybele, the ancient god of mothers. The current incarnation is said to be loosely based on More »
Flying a kite with the kids is yet another golden activity that holds great potential for learning, bonding and just having a little fun. Ever wonder exactly why and how a kite flies? Chances are at some point your kids may ask you, right? With a little digging around I have found some great sites for explaining why and how kites fly, believe it or not NASA’s Glenn Research Center has a fantastic (and thorough) explanation of exactly how and why a kite flies.
While the forces on all kites are the same, each kite flies a little differently. Some kites are highly maneuverable and some kites are very stable. There are kites with multiple control lines that can perform stunts, while other kites can be flown to high altitudes. We can use math techniques that you learn in school to determine the altitude of a kite graphically. With a little more knowledge of mathematics, you can actually calculate the altitude at which the kite is flying” ~ Kite Flight, NASA’s Glenn Research Center
I got my kids into kites last spring with a simple $5 classic delta design and 200′ of line. I think it was a Diego design, surprise-surprise. They were thrilled at the action we got from the nearby ocean breeze. But kids being kids, More »
Tags: 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12, educational, family fun, simple kids projects
There is plenty to be said about kids having a healthy dose of unstructured play in their life. No soccer practice to run to, no piano lessons to fret about. Those things are good to do, but the unencumbered afternoon is something to be cherished for kids.
As a dad, it may mean having a few tricks up your sleeve to get them going in the right direction, whether it’s a handful of dolls or action figures or even a few sheets of paper. That’s right, a few pieces of paper. This is arts and crafts, dad-style. There are a number of good sites that provide easy to understand directions (video too!) for creating a number of classic paper airplanes.
Sure – as parents you sometimes catch yourself “upselling” an activity but paper airplanes needs very little selling. Being able to take a sheet of paper (preferably one that has already been used for something) and transforming it into a moth, stealth or ring plane is totally entertaining for kids, regardless of age. As kids discover the different tricks (loop d’loops and such) that can be achieved by simple modifications to their planes, they will be hooked.
For the more advanced designs, check out the patterns available at How Stuff Works. They have directions for planes like the FA Thunderhawk Paper Airplane and A7 Moonraider Paper Airplane, cool stuff.
Sited & Related Links:
How Stuff Works | How to make paper airplanes
10 Paper Airplanes
Best Paper Airplanes | 10 original paper airplane designs that fly well
Pat’s Planes | Learn to Fold Paper Airplane from Pat, the Aerospace Engineer
Zurqui | The DC3 of paper airplanes
Airplane Collectible Resource | Making Paper Airplane that Flies like a Real One [*check out downloadable directions midway down page]
Set your own world record with this design! [*PDF]
We have a activity table set up for the kids and it is forever piled with coloring pages, doodle pads, sticker books, boxes of crayons, rubber stamps, glitter and paint markers. Coloring is something they do when they get bored with everything else. It is what they do when they’re waiting for dinner to be served. It is what they do when they are inspired to make a card for their aunt or grandmother. You get the idea.
We have found that printing free coloring pages on the backs of previously used paper is a great way to recycle at home, save a dime and offer the kids a great variety of coloring pages. Here are the latest list of free downloadable Animal & Wildlife coloring pages and other great related links to follow.
Sited Links;
National Geographic | Animals Coloring Book
Los Angeles Zoo | Printable Animal Coloring Book Pages
Fun School | Animal Adventure Coloring Pages
The Coloring Spot | Animal Printable Coloring Pages
Karen’s Whimsy | Animal Coloring Pages [*beautiful stuff!]
meta-DAD | The best kids activity and coloring pages ever
meta-DAD | Great coloring pages online
meta-DAD | Mod coloring books for your lil’ Picasso
